John Owen's Latine epigrams Englished by Tho. Harvey, Gent. ; dedicated by the author Mr. John Owen unto the Lady Mary Nevil, daughter of the Earl of Dorset.

John Owen's EPIGRAMS. (Book 1)

A Single Book. (Book 1)

1. To the Lady Arbella-Stuart.

ILlustrious Virgin, sprung from Regal Race, Whose Real worth thy Royal Birth doth Grace. He that his wits First-fruits thee gave, ev'n He Doth tender render now new Fruits to Thee, Upon thine * 1.1 Ara-Bella (as most fit) I consecrate, I sacrifice my wit.

2. To the same.

Thy constant Life doth from thy youth express The Genius of thine Ingeniousness:

Adverse things quell thee not, nor prosp'rous swell Thy Sails; thy front and mind are parallel: And thy rare signal vertues are the cause That none will think I flatter for applause.

3. To his Book.

Before innum'rous Judges thou must plead, Not one or two will censure when they read. Perhaps unread thou shalt not censures flee: And more Reprovers will than Readers be.

4. Union, to the Britains, 1606.

Who, unless mad, will off'red Gold refuse? Here's Union: This Pearl who will not choose?

5. Vacuity.

The Ethicks of vacuities complain, But Physicks shew that nothing's made in vain.

6. On Zoilus.

Zoilus is torn with an eternal Verse, Though e're two thousand years he lies on's Hearse. Is it because his heirs do never die, He's punish'd for his whole Posterity?

7. From the Center to the Circumference.

Not from the Center to th' Circumference Sole one Line's, yet but one way t' Heaven's hence.

8. Cock-Crowing, to the Prince.

France felt and did our English Forces see, No Gallick sound could make our Lion flee.

9. Of Quintus.

Money's a Noun, a Verb, to promise: he Promis'd a Noun, but gave a Verb to me.

10. Three Dimensions on Battologus.

Of three Dimensions thou but one dost sound, That's broad enough, too long, but not profound.

11. To the Reader.

As after sev'ral Births a womans womb, Past Fifty, fruitless, childless doth become: So my three former Books of better strain Have stupifi'd, and arifi'd my brain.

12. To Simon Waterson, Stationer.

Kind Waterson, who first my Book didst take, And undertake it publick for to make: Though Monopolies Laws against arise, Yet thou shalt all my wit Monopolize.

13. The Sea.

Salt Meats cause thirst: what's salter than the Seas? Fresh waters therefore are drank up by these.

14. The Solstice, of Ponticus an Atheist.

Death is Life's Solstice: the Sun seems t' our Eyes To stand, but stands not: man to die, not dies.

15. To his Book.

My little Book by me forewarn'd, forearm'd, Observe at Court to keep thy self unharm'd. Perhaps thou there maist find some one thy friend, And some perchance that thee will reprehend; If any be too rigid, too severe, Say thus, My Master blame, but me forbear.

16. Courtship, to his Friend a Courtier.

Loves thee the King? his Page will then thee love, As Shadows when the Bodies move, do move: Frowns but the King? his Page will on thee frown, As Shadows Bodies when the Sun's gone down.

17. On Corbulo.

Why's Corbulo so bald upon his Pate For want of hair? was it his fault or fate?

18. To Pontilian.

Pontilian, thee Christ'pher sues at Law•• Not thee, but money 'tis from thee to draw.

19. To Sir Edward Herbert, Knight,

Fame whisper'd that thou didst commend my Layes: O that I could but equalize this praise? Thou who dost praise this slender Muse of mine, Dost merit to be prais'd by th' Muses Nine.

20. Envies Genealogie, to J. H.

Vertue brings Envy forth, brought forth defends: From vertue this one-only Vice descends:

Know'st why to thee this Epigram I write? Thou maist of right expect pale Envyes spight.

21. Of Vertue, a Paradox.

Each vertue 'twixt two vices hath its place: If vice were plac'd there, better were the case.

22. The Seven Planets, to Paula.

Among th' Erratick Stars thou well didst mark Five Males, two Females wandring in the dark.

23. To Marcus.

More than thy Promise thou must keep, not less: Hence but one Tongue, two Hands thou dost possess: But thou dost promise much, performest none, As if thou two Tongues hadst, and Hands not one.

24. A Roman Priest.

Would'st have Adultery not punished By death? no wonder: th' art unmarried.

25. A Minister of Geneva.

Would'st have Adultery have loss of Life? No wonder: for thou hast a buxom Wife.

26. Self-loving Poet.

The Moon because of her vicinity, Though least, seems greatest Planet in our Eye: So, sith I'm next my self, my self the best I think of Poets, though I am the least.

27. Of a penurious Client.

Wonder'st the Judges Ears are shut to thee, When unto them thine hands not open be?

28. Of a certain Ass.

That I thee call, not name an Ass, dost grieve? We Names unt' Horse, not unt' Asses give.

29. Of the Picture in the Looking-glass.

Thou smiling, there thine Image seems to smile, And while thou weep'st, it seems to weep the while. It winks, thee winking, it thee moving moves: But though thou speak'st, thine Image speechless proves.

30. Glaucus Change.

His Birth-right Esau unt' his brother sold: Jacob his Pottage for it gave, not gold.

31. Of Asellus a Dreamer.

Thou sleeping art inspir'd with Mysteries, Which waking are concealed from thine Eyes: O how would Death inform thee, sith that sleep, Deaths Image, prompteth thee with things so deep?

32. Wales and Kent.

Wales keeps, though not its name, its ancient Nation: Kent keeps its name, but not its first Plantation.

33. Heauton-timoroumenos, Self-vexing.

Angels not having Bodies happy are. And the brute Beasts which Reason want, want care; Sole man, who soul and body doth possess, Is wretched, knows and feels his wretchedness: Yea ev'ry man hath Menedemus Fates, Whom Reason ruinates, not regulates.

34. Of Linus.

Thou bound wert to me, when I did thee lend▪ Wilt have me bound to thee? my Coyn repend.

35. Single Life.

If Heaven to Good works be ascrib'd as Merit, Thy Single Life hath wherewith Heav'n t' inherit.

36. The Creation.

In the beginning God made Heaven, Earth, Man. Why? 'cause not to be sole he then began.

37. Of Marcus.

Promise, thou sayst, makes rich: but I by thee. Thy Promises shall never richer be.

38. Of Aulus an Atheist.

When we with thee discourse of God and Heaven, With thee who prizest God, at six and seven: Thou sayst, what's us above concerns us not: True: for the lowest hole in Hell's thy lot.

39. Man a Stage-Player.

Hope is Lifes Argument (for Life's a Fable) World, Scene: Faith, Prologue: Acts are Love unstable

40. To the Reader.

Why am I in mine Epigrams so brief? It is, O Reader, for thy sake in chief:

As Gold than Silver is more light to carry, So than long Epigrams short make less weary.

41. New Stile.

Wherefore doth Rome, which new things so detests, So dotes on old, ordain new Fasts, new Feasts?

42. To Marinus.

Motion's the praise of th' Heavens constant Station. Earths glory fix'd upon a firm Foundation: Whence to thee Phillis seems of heav'nly birth, Still moveable, she nothing hath of Earth.

43. Eves Fall.

The Sun's not oft: the Moon's oft in th' Eclipse: So women are than men more prone to slips.

44. Neither in this nor in the World to come, of Damianus.

Whether I present things, or future mind, I none more wretched than thy self do find Th' art wicked, future times will thee condemn, A Fool th' art: present times do thee contemn.

45. By wanting rather than having, to Ponticus.

Thou knowst what wit, what valour is, if by Their want, one their true value may descry.

46. Manslaughter.

One man himself may kill a thousand men: But two can scarce beget one man agen.

47. Friendship to his Friend.

Why seeks Likes like Friends friend? because that none Can long stand stedfast on one foot alone.

48. To Sir John Harington, son of the Lord Harington.

If vertue may be guess'd at by the front, Thy Face hath wit and vertue stamp'd upon't: And herein is thy Fathers wisdom seen, That learned Tovey hath thy Tutor been: Sith all this Isle of Britain, but a few Tutors like him, Pupils like thee can shew.

49. Polydore Virgil.

Two Virgils were; one Maro (soaring higher) A Poet; next thou Polydore a Lyar.

50. Upon Momus an unjust Censurer of the former Epigrams.

Among so many wicked then alive, Had but Gomorrha found of just men five It yet had stood.— And thou, malignant Reader, for a few Loose Lines, wouldst all the Structure overthrow?

51. On the same.

One, whom I know not, infamous by Fame Diana's Temple burn'd to get a Name: So with black Teeth thou dost my Verses bite, Hoping to have thy name in what I write: But bite, backbite thy fill, I will deceive Thine hopes, and thee without a name will leave.

52. Upon a domestick Carper.

And me thy Brother, thou my Brother dear Woundst with thy tongue, and with thy teeth dost tear. Why dost maligne my Verse, if praise it merit? If blame, to spare it 'twere a brothers spirit.

53. A Cuckold.

Why for my Wives close Thefts am I (alas) Traduc'd? men call me Cuckold as they pass, And point at me: For what I did not sign (But you, I know not who) I call not mine.

54. A Self-Lover.

Love, like thy self, thy Neighbour, saith the Text: I do, thou say'st, I to my self am next.

55. Fortune assists the Bold.

Fair women are like Fortune: Neither she, Nor they love men that slothful-bashful be.

56. Love blind.

Love not too fierce at first hath large extent: For slow things longer last than violent. Lovers in hast, are like that breeding kind, which like blind love, bring forth their younglings blind.

57. Love not blind, to Firmicus.

Love is not blind: Argus to love is prone, But Polyphemus, blinded loveth none:

Love's bred by Seeing: therefore Love's not blind, Which through th' Eyes windows doth inflame the mind.

58. To Quintus, a Courtier.

Ulysses fear, hast (Quintus) but one Eye? An hundred hast? beware of Mercury.

59. Epitaph of Justice.

E're since Astraea, last of heav'nly Race, Abandon'd Earth, and took in Heav'n her place, Laws Altars, Justice Temples are forsook, And t' each his * 1.2 Jus to give, sole knows the Cook.

60. Of Marcus, skulking.

Wisely th' art hid, if hid thine hiding were: But open thy close hiding doth appear.

61. Jesus Colledge, and Christ Church Colledge in Oxford not fully Finished 1607.

Jesus, one House unfinish'd bears thy Name, And Christ, thou hast another like the same: Among so many Noble Structures, those- Thy two, thy former Poverty disclose.

62. Merchants Trust.

Poor Irus paid rich Croesus all: now which Is of the greater credit, Poor or Rich?

63. Muses most sad.

Shorne is Apollo now, unshorne e're while: Scarce in a year doth our Apollo smile. O he mistook who call'd the Muses merry: Phoebus his Harp's untun'd, his hand is weary.

64. Incredulity.

Credulity's an errour, not a fault; Too much an errour is too little, naught.

65. Credulity.

Him I distrust, who trusteth all by guess: The more thou me, I credit thee the less.

66. Faiths Obsequiousness, to young men.

I like Pythagoras his Discipline Which seven years Tryal did for Trust assign:

Wilt have th' unlearn'd thee trust? th' learn'd trust rather: Wilt have thy son thee trust? trust then thy Father.

67. Better to give than receive.

God giveth, man receiveth (and doth bow) Never, I think, were fewer Gods than now.

68. Of Ponticus, a Client.

Thy Gout's i' th' hand, thy Lawyer dost not Fee, His is in's Feet, he moves no Foot for thee.

69. Tho. Wolsey, I, and my King.

I, and my King with Grammer Rules comply: Good Manners teacheth thus, My King and I. This is the way to live, that to discourse, This in the Court, that in the School's of force.

70. To the Gauls.

Each drinks in his own Glass, I like it well: But who's content with his own wife to dwell?

71. Philautus to Philaristus, Calend. January.

Thou lookst I should a Gift to thee commend, I but my self have nothing else to send.

72. Philaristus to Philautus.

Thou nothing sent'st, thy nothing I repell: Thou gav'st thy self, I give thee back. Farewell.

73. To Henry Fanshaw, Knight, 1606.

Augustus Empire had it been thy Fate T' have had, or else Mecaenas his Estate, In these our times had many Maro's been, Now no Mecaenas, nor no Maro's seen.

74. To Henry Good-yeer, Knight, upon his Wifes Decease, 1606.

Men to command, women t' obey, to bear Nature injoynes: thy Wife did both, while here Sh' obey'd, she bare sweet Pledges, hopeful Sons, Which props support the Ports of greatest Dons. O happy Good-yeer thrice, four times and more, If one as good succeed as went before.

75. Ulysses and Penelope.

Death's t' us Ulysses-like when snatch'd from's Wife: As she her Thread, so we spin out our Life.

76. Of Mancinus an Artless Master.

Thou the whole day from Street to Street dost walk, Yet lest thou shouldst be thought thy Book to baulk, Thou sleep'st at night by Candle-light: thine Oyl Mancinus thou wilt lose, but not thy Toyl.

77. Upon a certain woman.

Though thy two sons be both unlike to thee, Each yet with's Fathers likeness doth agree.

78. The Celestial Archer, to William Ravenscroft, J. C.

Thine Arrow, Faith: Bow, Love: thy Bow-string, Hope: Let Heaven be thy Mark, and God the scope.

79. Ponderous things descend.

No Creature in the World is more sublime Than Man, why must he slabber in the slime? Of th' Elements, of what's the World within The solid Earth most pond'rous is, save sin. What wonder then that man is downward prest? Sith man is nothing else but sin at best.

80. Of a litigious Debtor.

Thou dost not pay me, dost the Lawyer pay: Thy Folly this, that doth thy Fault display.

81. Of the same.

Thy care is not to pay thy Debts: thy care Is not to pay thy Debts what e're they are.

82. Of the Church Derivative.

Sith that there's but one Faith, one Church that's true, Sprung from the Fount of Life; within the new Jerusalem, what Church doth not derive It self from thence, erres from the Primitive.

83. Four Seas.

Britain's Trine-like, Triangular: why be Four Seas therein, and yet but Kingdoms three?

84. To a Rich Friend.

If by the want of things their worth is known, I know the worth of Wealth, for none's mine own.

85. The Generation of one is the corruption of two.

The male and female, in the course of nature, Corrupt two bodies to produce one Creature.

86. The Wedding Ring.

A Ring at Nuptials the Bridegroom gave The Bride in sign of Love: a custom grave. The wife should rather give the Ring to th' man: Let him reach out his Finger for it than.

87. The Worlds of Democritus.

If Worlds so many were, as doth attest Democritus, this were the worst o' th' rest.

88. Of Epigrams to the Reader.

An Epigram is like a fair-fac'd woman, Which is, because more beautiful, more common: But common once her beauty's out of date, And then Adulterers it nauseate.

89. The Earth.

The Heavens, though in motion, constant prove, For with the self-same motion still they move: But th' Earth is most inconstant, though fast fixt, Each Angle of it is with Errors mixt.

90. The Moon.

Cynthia th'art call'd the Star that rules the Seas, Thou rather rulest now the Land than these.

91. Covetous Liberality, to Acerra.

Thou giv'st to take, not tak'st to give Acerra: Thy mark's Receiving, Giving is thine Arrow.

92. Of Paula, a false Catholick.

If any ask of Paula, what's her Faith, 'Tis Catholick, Apostolick she saith. I think her love is Catholick unt' all; But I would have her Faith Catholical.

93. A Prodigy.

Penelope's chast trust a Proverb was: But for a Prodigy it now may pass.

94. Of Annetta, a Franck.

Nature with very little is content: But of thy Nature this I think's not meant.

95. Of Marcus a Souldier, blind and blear-cy'd.

One of thine Eyes doth, Marcus, yet remain, Which with continual drops thy Face doth slain:

Why is that Eye with Tears so much im••ost? Because his Brother in the Wars was lost.

96. Peace in Europe, to Divines.

Kings war; and Kings in peaceful Leagues combine: 'Tis something yet t' enjoy sweet peace in Fine: The Priests with an immortal strife contend; And their contests nor measure have, nor End. Hence by Tongues virulence it doth appear That than the Sword, the Pen is more severe.

97. To Carolina.

As oft as in the Glass thou view'st thy face, Lest that thy beauty make thee proud, abase- Abate thy Pride: think though th'art fair (alas) Th' art fraile, though beautiful yet like thy Glass.

98. Florals.

As in the Scene obscene came Cato, thence To go: so man comes here, to pass from hence: And never to come hither from his Urne, As Ca••o to the Scene did not return.

99. Man's Epitaph.

Who lies here? no man: no man here doth lie: A liveless Corps doth not a man imply.

100. The Souls Horizon.

Th' high Elements we see not, Fire and Air: Water and Earth we see, the lower pair: So we know men and beasts with us below: But God and th' Angels (ah) we do not know.

101. The Souls Eclipse.

As th' Earth 'twixt Sun and Moon doth stand we see In her Eclipse: so sin 'twixt God and me.

102. A Merchant.

Plautus a Tale, the Merchant call'd, compil'd: The next, like it, is the Deceiver stil'd.

103. Worshipper: of Images.

Who Grandees honour, Idolize: 'tis clear: Sith woman mans, man doth Gods Image bear.

104. Erasmus his desire.

Erasmus Desiderius I could Desire; who sole might write what e're he would?

105. A Neuter.

Pompey and I, if Pompey win the Field: If Caesar, then to Caesar I will yield.

106. Scandalizing Grandees, to the Servants of Servants.

The Master saith, I will my Servant have To be still faithful: how? my Goods to save. Stand, watch, go, come: perform the most th' art able, Th' art yet a Servant, but unprofitable.

107. Mars and Venus.

Venus and Mars themselves alike extend, Mars common Foe, Venus a common Friend.

108. February.

Thou sole of many Brothers, not one other, Hast eight and twenty daies, most like thy mother.

109. To E. J.

Thy modesty thee (vertue like) doth praise, I to thy wit, with leave, would Tropheys raise: But O thy modest Face, and candid spirit Cause me to praise thee less than is thy Merit.

110. A Circles Square.

What is a Circles Square? but this alone, Th'Earth parted in four parts, at first but One.

111. Whether an Arithmetical unite answereth to a Geometrical Point.

God than a Point is more, yet is but One: Like as a Point doth differ from a * 1.3 Mone.

112. From the Womb to the Tomb.

Man's born to death most certain, which comes on, As a lean Ox feeds to be fed upon.

113. To the King.

O of what Force Example's in a King? Actest? thou bidst: forbearst? forbidst the thing. A Prince moves principal; a King doth steer. As Skyes the Stars, so Kings the People bear.

114. The Head and Body, to the same.

Reason's i' th' Head, there its five Agents ••bide: Little's Divine in the whole Man beside.

115. Report of the Death of Henry 4. the French King: To the French King.

What Kings to hear, and Servants fear to tell, Fame sounds i' th' Ear, To die remember well.

116. Light and Air.

Air, though a Body, is unseen with th' Eye: Light hath no body, yet is seen on high.

117. One God, many Friends.

Though no man can two Masters serve as slave, What hinders but two Patrons one may have? One God forbids not to seek many friends, As one Faith many Arts not discommends.

118. Donna, Danno.

Adam a Rib lost for the womans sake: And for her sake he laid his Soul at stake.

119. Womens Tire.

This is more like an house than cov'ring: this Is not to deck, t' erect the Head it is.

120. All things Nothing.

All things who made of Nothing, He's sole All: What God of Nothing made, we Nothing call.

121. The East and Western Church.

The right-true Faith i' th' Worlds left Part resounds: Faith sinister i' th' Worlds right Part abounds.

122. Anger, Patience.

Ire minds inflames, and Patience cools that Ire: As Fire doth temper water, water fire.

123. Ruine of Heaven and Earth.

Th' Earth lowest is, Heav'n highest is of all: Yet that hath whither, this no where to fall.

124. To Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton.

Ally'd unt' one, Uncle to two great Counts, Of great Account, thy Fame thy Name surmounts: Of many Noble Dukes sprung from the Stemm, Ones Brother; Nephew unto three of them; An Earls son, who (but Fates did not so please) Had been the fourth Duke in this Series: An Earl thy self: None wonders at thy Fates, Whom wit conducts, Fortune concomitates!

125. To Pontia.

I from thy sight, which wounds mine Heart, remove, Not that I love thee not, but that I love.

126. To an Adulterer.

Adam in Eden was forbid to taste One Fruit, the rest were all for his Repast. I wonder, having so much at command, That He from One could not withhold his hand. Thou contrary, art All forbid but One, That thou may'st use, the rest must let alone. Less strange, than Adam, that thou didst decline, Whose Liberty was greater far than thine.

127. To the Reader.

Salt meats cause thirst: O that my verses might The Reader cause to thirst with Appetite.

128. To an Uxorious Man.

Let not thy Wife command, give if she crave; Make not thy Wife thy Master, nor thy Slave.

129. To Ponticus.

Thy Life's a Comick, Death a Tragick Story; Unlike thy Death will be to thy Life's Glory.

130. Of a certain married Priest.

A Levite born, a Levite made, thy Wife Of Levi's Tribe, Levitical's thy Life.

131. Of Innovators.

You pull down All Things, No Thing you rebuild, Are you with Zeal, or fiery fury fill'd? The Spirit, you pretend, doth you compell; What Spirit is't? * 1.4 Abaddon, One from Hell.

132. Of Cotta.

God out of Nothing, All things did Create, Thou Chymist All things dost Annihilate.

133. Tho. Egerton Chancellour of England, and Francis Leigh his Son-in-law.

••any Vertue loves, and Honours Arts, ••hat Father, and this Son act both these parts: ••ave Egerton, Brave Leigh the Muses love, ••he Son would not unlike the Father prove.

134. Consubstantiation.

To the same Francis, and Mary his Wife.

You have not both one Soul, but both one Mind, Nor both one Body, but one flesh conjoyn'd: Man, Wife, in name are two, but one in Troth, They diff'rent are in Sex, but humane both.

135. Funeral Sermons.

Good men are wrong'd while living, prais'd when dead; O black Life, O Death candid-honoured.

136. Paul's Cross, and the Cross in Cheap, in the Parish of St. Peter.

Why's Peter's Golden, Paul's a Leaden Cross? Why, because Golden words Paul's Cross ingross.

137. Loves Chronicle.

A Moment multipli'd amounts t' an Hour, A Day's made up with Hours twenty four: Days many make a Month, twelve Months a year: So, with more Times, my Love doth more appear.

138. Twins.

Nothing's unlike in us, all's like; sole we Differ in number, we two Bodies be.

139. Friends.

We scarce in number differ: Two we be, Yet One: You Twins in Body, In Mind we.

140. Of the Art of Love.

Though Naso's Art of Love some prove-approve, Yet men unexpert know not what is Love: Love is by Nature taught, not learn'd by Art, By th' Eyes, not Ears, Love enters int' our Heart.

140. Seneca the Philosopher.

Thy Dictates seem like Epigrams almost, But that in Numbers they be not ingrost.

141. To Attalus.

Thou saidst once at thy Table (as I take it,) Thou didst not relish Salt, but didst forsake it: For Salt thou needst not care, nor is't a fault, All, almost, that thy Tongue doth speak, is Salt.

142. Sir Philip Sidney's Life.

Who while they liv'd writ Books deserving Fame, Their Lives need not he writ, there lives their Name: The Corps, not Life of Sidney's in the Tomb, His short Lifes longer Glory keeps more room.

143. The Bodies Valediction to the Soul.

I for thy sake did Mother Earth forsake.

The Soul departing.

Fool, I left God my Father, to betake My self to Thee: Now call'd, I t' him return; And leave thee to thy Mother in thine Urn. Till when (For we till then shall meet no more) Th' Earth Thee to Me, God Me to Thee restore.

144. A Kingdom divided.

Two Kingdoms undivided are, Heaven, Hell, As in themselves: There Good, here Bad do dwell: On Earth alone (oh shame) Division raigns, Which Good and Bad promiscuously sustains. But time will come when th' Earth shall lie divast, When Heav'n and Hell shall both be fill'd at last.

145. How Waters.

Tears prest-exprest do tacite Love declare, Love Tears begets, Fire Water: Strange and Rare.

146. Of Wit and Memory.

To Ponticus.

'Tis ask'd, Why wit is called sharpness? Why? Because what's sharp doth pierce more inwardly: The Memory is to retain, not pierce, Thus Vessels are made round, and with reverse. Whence I supect that or thy Wit is round, Or sharp thy Memory: Both unprofound.

147. Comfort for the Poor.

To the Rich.

Inconstant Fortune various appears: Whence Hopes arise to Me, to The •• but Fears.

148. Of Titius and Gellia.

One in disgrace did Titius upbraid That's Wife, when first he took her, was no Maid.

What's that to Me, thus Titius repli'd, She then was Semprones Daughter, not my Bride.

149. The Heart.

Why in the left side rather than the right Is Mans Heart plac'd? to Good 'cause opposite.

150. The Flesh and Spirit.

God made mans Body first, and when created, He with a living Soul it animated. Hence the dull Body, doth, I think, deny T' obey the Soul; pleads Seniority.

151. The Innocents, Proto-Martyrs.

For Christ the Children suff'red death, before Christ for the Children shed his precious * 1.5 Gore.

152. To his Friend.

The Dual Number oft doth Friendship bound: Scarce in the Plural Number Love is found.

153. To a friend growing old. 1607.

Thou wert a youth, when I a Child: And now Thou art grown old, while I a youth do grow: Thee therefore Death expects, and Old Age Me; Certain's thy lot, though mine uncertain be.

154. Of A. G.

Thy Name and Face is Mans, Wit, Animals, A Fool in Specie, learn'd in Generals.

155. Harmony. To Divines.

Of Gospels Harmony have divers writ: But who that Harmony? Great Labour's it.

156. Dissonancy.

So great discordance doth abound with Men, That what Souls Peace is, scarce knows One of Ten: Here's Base, depress'd, There Elah too much rear'd, That scarce the Tenor, or the Mean is heard.

157. To Pontilianus.

Art jealous of thy Wife? Th' art wise in part: But art not jealous? Then thou wiser art. To watch thy Wife is vain: That wife loves best That though can, will not raise her husbands Crest.

158. To Porcia.

Art thou the Daughter of the Night, or Light, Born in the Day, begotten in the Night?

159. An Epitome of the Histories of his Time.

To Marianus.

We worse are than our Fathers, worser they Than their Fore-fathers, apt to run astray: If our Posterity prove worse than we, Nothing can worse than our Poster'ty be.

160. London.

To J. W. A London Gold-smith.

As Thames the Rivulets drinks up and drowns, So London swalloweth the poorer Towns: Though Thames with Flux, re-flux, Send and resend, Its Floods to Sea, Th' art still a constant Friend.

161. Debtor and Creditor.

To Will. Cawley, A London Merchant.

Though in my Book, thou find, if there thou look, Thy Name, My Name, yet, is not in thy Book: I owe thee nought but Love: Of this to thee A Creditor and Debtor still will be.

162. Fools and Dwarfs.

Though we be not accounted men of might. Yet are we great mens sport, and their delight.

163. To Pontilian.

Poor Irus still was careful, why? 'Cause poor. Croesus was careful, why? For's wealth was more. One's vex'd, because he wants a Wife, and thou, Because thou hast a wife, art vexed now.

164. Union.

To Married Britains.

One God and Union, the World supply, Wedlock on Earth was the first Unity.

165. The Elements War.

Though God created all things for mans sake, Yet th' Elements against us Wars do make: How many have (alas) been swept from hence With the contagious Air, by Pestilence?

How near hath London felt the Trojan Flames? How many have been drench'd and drown'd in Thames? Earth stops her Fruits: Yet no man doth repent; Though Heav'n with Tears, and Earth our sins lament: Though th' Earth be mollifi'd with moistning showers, Yet sin our stubborn hearts more-more obdures.

166. An Epithalamy, To Tullia.

By day, Thou, the sole Object of my Sight, Shalt be the Subject of my Love at Night.

167. To Sextus, an Academian.

That thou mayst mind thy Grave before th' art dead, 'Tis said, by day thou mak'st for Night thy Bed. That in Remembrance thou thy Death mayst keep, Why dost not oftner go to Bed and Sleep?

168. To his Beloved.

Thee known I love, I lov'd thee when unknown, Fame then, thy Face hath made me now thine own: I now know Love; I love, not lov'd: Yea, now I know not to be lov'd, to love I know.

169. The Younger Brother.

I m poor: My Parents Fault (not mine, nor other,) Who did not me beget before my Brother.

170. The Firmament.

Th' Earth stands unmov'd, standing there moves the Creature: Heav'n moves, yet the fix'd Stars move not by Nature.

171. The blessed Virgin.

Although the blessed Virgin we thee call, Thou among women blessed art withal: I profit nothing by thy Virgin vest, But as a Mother, Me Thou profitest.

172. Hope and Faith.

Faith is no Faith, unless but One, firm fixt: Nor Hope is Hope, if not with doubts commixt.

173. Novelty.

Reviv'd are many things which heretofore Fell, and shall fall, though now they flourish more. New things now please, but will not still, because What's now new will wax old, and full of Flaws.

174. Marcus his Looking-glass.

Why is thy Fool before thee still? (All-Ass,) Thou view'st thy self in him, as in a Glass.

175. To one Uxorious.

The Field's not alway plough'd: Thy Wife's a Field, Yet she loves dayly to be duly till'd.

176. To a Friend.

Four years, and more, praeter-plu-perfect past, First sprung thy love, and then was rooted fast: In vain thou now dost seek it to remove, No new young Plant, an old grown Tree's thy Love.

177. To Porphyrius.

We read that Christ wept twice, not laugh'd at all: Why dost mans Nature Risible then call?

178. To Pontilianus.

As a Blind Man, by Boy or Woman led, Ways t' him unseen-unknown doth often tread: So Venus or her Boy, thee blind in Love, Hither and Thither lead, move and remove.

179. Love is beyond all Exception.

To a certain Friend.

Though some new cause old Love may (chance) suspend, I, by the Laws of Friendship, am thy Friend: My Love's beyond Exception unto thee, Except, thou lov'st not, as thou shouldst love me.

180. Of Ponticus aged sixty years.

In all thy Life thou good hast done to none: When wilt thou now begin? Thou sayst upon My death, I all will to the poor bequeath: Too late he's wise, that is not wise till death.

181. Of Nigella, Candidated.

Rare Bird on Earth thou art, and Swan-like white, White are thy Cloaths, thy Skin as black as night.

182. Le Carneval de la vit.

Why doth the Soul abhor the Bodies death? Fears that to die, when this hath lost its Breath?

Or doth it fear that after death remains Unt' it short Judgement, but long lasting pains? I doubt, this doth the Soul in death dismay, That to the Flesh it cannot farewel say.

183. Quintina's Praise.

Should I thee praise, thou then wouldst prouder be: I praise thee not: Th'art proud enough I see.

184. Earth's Son.

Heaven looks on us, and we must look on Heaven, For Stars in Skies, God Eyes to thee hath given: Thou scarce the thousandth part of Earth canst see: Half Heaven yet is visible to thee. Fool, why dost Earth prefer unt' Heaven rather, But as some love their Mother more than Father.

185. The lowest Species.

Though Mankind is the chief, yet him we call- We account the lowest Species of all: Heav'n hath but few: More men in Hell do lie, Who mens unhappiness can then deny?

186. Of Envy, a Paradox.

If Vertue did, Envy would less abound: For where's more Vertue, there less Vice is found.

187. James, of that Name, The sixth King of Scotland, The first of England, Happi∣ness to Britain.

What hath been often wish'd, scarce hop'd for, came 'Twixt Hope and Fear unto thy royal Name: King James, the first, the sixth of Regal Line, Sice Ace, the best chance of the Dice was thine.

188. To James the First, King of Great Britain, &c.

Thine Hand four Crowns, four Scepters doth command, Four Languages are spoken in thy Land; The Britains Language, though not one, their Heart Is One, of thy three Kingdoms being part. At first the Devil did mens hearts divide: But God their Languages: And all for Pride.

189. Kings and Prophets.

Out of his Countrey, no King rules in chief, No Prophet in his Countrey gains Belief.

190. Vertue.

A double Genius, (while transitory,) Attends on Vertue, Good, Bad, Envy, Glory.

191. Envy.

Envy corrodes mens praises (like a Slave) As Worms corrode their Bodies in the Grave.

192. Of Battus.

Thy many Queries I in brief respond, Not 'cause so many, but 'cause foolish, fond.

193. Sleep. Death.

Though in my sleep I seem as dead in sort, Yet no part of my Life's the sweeter for't: 'Tis strange what should in Death so bitter be; Sith Sleep, Deaths Image, is so sweet to me.

194. The Triumvirs.

Clients unto the Lawyer go, because Wealth, their chief Good's secured by the Laws: In Sickness the Physician comes; next Wealth, The second thing to be secur'd, is Health: Divines, who first to have been sent for ought, Come last unto the sick ••••sent-unsought.

195. Lovers Patience.

Lover, wouldst have thy wish? Be patient: He that will live in Peace, must be content.

196. Of a certain Grammaticaster.

Thou Letters knowst, a good Grammarian: And nothing knowst but them; A learned man.

197. To a pompous Dame.

Be like Men'laus, or Ulysses Wife, If thou wouldst famous live beyond thy Life: For Vice, not only Vertue doth survive: Helen's, Penelope's Names are yet alive.

198. Of Aulus, a Grandee.

Truth-telling Fools speak things to be concea••'d, But wise men see what's sit to be reveal'd:

Aulus to trust his Servants wits afraid, Keeps four fools still about him, for their Aid.

199. Gold from Dung.

Virgil from Ennius Dung did Gold extract: What Virgils was, is now Physicians act.

200. Loves Secret.

A Lover's seldom lov'd: Be loveless, if Thou wilt not be belov'd, love then in chief.

201. Mon Tout, To Marcia.

Oft thou me call'st all thine: That I deny, All thine I am not; But thine, all am I.

202. Of Quintus and Orus.

Quintus and Orus have of late declar'd Themselves Papistical: On what regard? That for their Faiths Antiquity: And this For Novelty thereof a Papist is.

203. Ariadne's Thread.

As Theseus by Ariadne's Thread▪ Was Led, so Men, One Faith to Truth doth lead.

204. Of Wills and Vows.

In Testaments or Wills the Last must stand: In Vows, if good, the first hath chief command. When God created all things with one vote, Two Wills or Testaments he made-he wrote.

205. To a Covetous Friend.

The Covetous hath all himself, not giving: He nothing hath Himself, but wants while living.

206. To Ponticus, A Lawyer.

Part of thy Life thou to thy wife dost give, Part to thy Client: When to th' self wilt live?

207. Of Preachers and Players.

Preachers and Players check our crimes: With Tears▪ The Preachers, and the Players with their Jeers: To that I wretched, foolish seem to this. This numbers, and that ponders mine amiss.

208. The Births of Christ, and J. Baptist.

John in the Summer, Christ in Winter came: That did Baptize with Water; This with Flame:

Well did those Contraries, * 1.6 Floods, Flames convene: Our Sins Fire purgeth, Water washeth clean.

209. No Man is hurt but from himself.

None's free from Crimes, nor Discords: For most times Our Discords are procur'd by our own Crimes.

210. Upon a bawling Ass.

I do not call thee Momus, ev'ry Ass, But that which the false Prophet Balaams was. Not that which into Salem Christ did carry, For this was mild and mute, but that contrary.

211. Of his Heirs.

To the Lawyers.

None of his wife, but Adam, was secure, And none but Eve, was of her husband sure: In Wedlock the poor husbands sole defence, And comfort is, in's Wife t' have confidence.

212. An hollow Tooth.

The Fire, Me cast therein doth not consume, But I am hollow made by Watrish Rheume.

213. Vertues Praise.

As the Suns constancy consists in Motion, So Vertue's force in Action hath best Notion.

214. Aesop's Tongue.

No Member is, that doth to man belong More Noble, or Ignoble, than the Tongue.

215. To the Children of Winchester Colledge.

I am not what I was, once all for Plays; A Child of Festivals and Holy-days.

216. Wisdome leading, Fortune following.

Of Ancus.

If ill advice chance well, in vulgar Eyes; Ancus the Fool, shall be reputed wise: If good advice come by mischance to nought, Wise Cato shall himself a Fool be thought.

217. Grief.

Loss present's to be griev'd for We bemoan; Past, ah, too late, and future loss too soon.

218. Vicissitude.

Mirth, Mourning ends, and Mourning Mirth concludes, Hope, Fear, w'are various by Vicissitudes.

219. To Germanicus.

Thy Wife hath rais'd the Number of thy Friends, This her fertility in part commends: This Benefit in Wedlock doth accrew, A new Wife gains new Friends, and Friendship new.

220. Armed Wickedness.

Of Linus.

As the best Wine makes Vinegar most tart, So the more witty, thou more wicked art.

221. Opinionist.

How, ah, Opinion reigns the World thoughout: The Truth I know not, yet I must not doubt. Who doubteth errs not: Yet for both prepar'd: Error b' Opinion, not by doubt's declar'd.

222. Alma Mater Academia Oxonia.

Fair Mother Oxford University.

Nature was Mother of my Brain, Thou Now: She dura Mater, pia Mater Thou.

223. The Poet.

Rewards, not words Me••enas Poets gave;

The Grandee.

What more than words can I from Poets have?

224. Man is to Man a God.

A Man's a Man, though he but sparing lives: A Wolf that spoils, a God who freely gives.

225. Homer.

If that be true, which some of thee do write, Thou never sawst, thy Books yet see the Light.

226. Three Secretaries.

Thou must to th' Lawyer thy whole case untwist, To th' Doctor thy Disease, thy Sins to th' Priest. If thou respect'st thy Soul's and Body's weal, Nothing from this Triumvirate conceal.

227. To D. C. G.

The Gout thee vexeth, and a pest contrary: Thy Wife makes thee to run, the Gout to tarry.

228. Ubiquitaries.

All th' Earth's before the poor, where e're he roam He's never exil'd, ever is at home.

229. Lovers.

Love is in us, as in the Wood is Fire; As Fire the Wood, Love burns us with desire: But Fire in Air, Wood t' Ashes doth consume: We Ashes are; And what's our Love but fume?

230. Speech.

A Speech is like to Grief, is like to sport: If long, 'tis trivial, if grave, 'tis short.

231. On an esseminate old man.

Bacchus old age, Venus doth youth ingage, This therefore fit for youth, and that for age.

232. On Harpalus, a covetous Youth.

The World thy Friendess is, wretch thou t' adore it. That's old, thou youthful, 'tis enough t' abhorr it.

233. To the Reader.

Who writes, is fam'd of these, is blam'd of those; Himself to censure still he doth expose: He daily pleads his cause, desisteth Never, And, Reader, unto Thee, the Judge is ever.

234. Of a Looking-glass.

Thou gav'st m'a Glass my Face to represent: One to present thy Face would more content.

235. Of Quintia, a Hypocrite.

Learn'd, Comely, youthful, fair, Benign and Chast Thou, if not proud of these, some Goodness hast.

236. A Probleme.

The Prodigal the Miser doth detest. Why then do Misers Prodigals love best?

237. Sleep. Venus.

Shall I you call Death's Sisters, or Allies, Thou pleasing Venus, Thou Sleep, easing Eyes? You both indulge your Selves on Beds to lie: And Feds are made your Pleasures to supply.

Dull Sleep, lewd Venus hate the light: And this Is the Souls Death, the Senses Death that is.

238. Lifes length and shortness.

To sloathful men the Day, Night, Month and Year Seem long, though posting on with swift career. We trifle out our long-thought time in vain, Why of Life's shortness do we then complain?

239. The Treasury.

Birds are with Bird-lime caught, both young and old: So Treasuries like Lime-twigs catch our Gold.

240. To self-loving Ponticus.

Thy mind and Eye, themselves did never see. That thou so lov'st thy self, how can it be?

241. Scrutiny.

O, that what Christ unt' his Disciples spake, Prince, Priest and people would their Query make; What do men say of me? This askd, in th' end Men would their Errors see, and them amend.

242. Light of Grace.

The Moon enlight'ned by the Sun doth shine. So shines the Soul inspir'd with Grace divine.

243. Fame. Error.

Rumours and Errors further going; grow Greater and greater like a Ball of Snow.

244. Historical Tradition of King Brutus, To William Camden.

Books may be burn'd, and Monuments may lie Demolished; thy works and mine may die: But a Tradition National, alive While is that Nation, will in force survive.

245. To Roger Owen, A Learned Knight.

Thou knowst the Britains Laws, their old, new Rites, And all that their whole History recites: In thy Discourse, Th' art so profoundly read, A living Library seems in thine Head.

246. On a Covetous Man.

Thou wretched man, why for a thousand year Provid'st, and canst not live one hundred here?

Why such vast sums of Moneys up dost heap, And seek'st long Joys in this short life to reap? Thou sayst; I one day shall be rich, if I Live close? Why sayst not, I shall one day die?

247. One Foot in the Grave.

We live upon Deaths shore, our life's as near To death, as Seas unto the Shores appear: Life, Death; are almost one thing in repute, As Earth and Water one Globe constitute.

248. Britains Mercury. To J. H.

Of mundane things Moore wrote the best, and good: Thou writ'st the worst, but Truth, if understood.

249. Of Himself.

Some say I am no Poet, 'tis no lye: For I write nothing else but verity.

250. To William Butler Physician at Cambridge.

Some to desired Health preferr their Wealth; Thou sleightest Wealth, thy care's for cure, for Health. Thee the Physician, let none despair Of Health, that's sick: Physick, as Phoebus Heir, Thou giv'st: I flatter not, the truth I speak; Nor comes this Praise from one that's Sick, or weak.

251. To Paulus, A Lawyer.

Why calls the common Law a Relict, her Whose husband's dead? to th' wedded that referr: No need, a Wife her husbands death expect, To lodge in mournful Bed with Face erect.

252. The last Divorce.

If man to Bliss, to Dis wife pass away, Or contrary; No more one flesh are they.

253. The World.

The Earth is like a Gaol, like Walls the Skies, The Gaoler's Sin, the Fetters Womens Eyes.

254. Laws Nullity.

We many Laws have made, almost not any: For if not any kept, what good's so many? That Laws be kept, this one Law more ordain, Which if soon marr'd will soon be made again.

255. The state of man.

If one Foot down, Then th' other is above: Thus one mans Fall, anothers Rise doth prove.

256. To a certain Man.

Doctor beginning, O begin to be Now Ductior: more learn'd for thy degree.

257. Beside Women and Children.

Read through the sacred writ, though they surmount, * 1.7 Women and Children pass not in account: Women and Children are not Officers, Nor are they trained up, or arm'd for wars: Women and Children for their Garments have Long Coats, they beardless are, and never shave: Women and Children will Tears quickly shed, And are by Flatterers soon led-misled. O with what Arts do you man-kind destroy Thou woman Venus, Cupid thou, her Boy?

258. A Nose of Wax.

Do sacred Scriptures promise good unt' us? Our Faith believes it, soon is credulous. Do they require our duty? Then, O then 'Tis durus sermo, difficult for men.

259. Heavens Ladder. 1 Cor. 13.8.13.

	y
	t
h	i
t	r	e
i	a	p
a	h	o
F	C	H

Three Vertues, as by steps, ascend int' Heaven, Good Hope by four, by five Faith, Love by seven. Hope to the Moon, Faith doth to th' Sun aspire, But Charity to th' highest Heav'n, and higher.

260. Of Battus.

Thy Tongue thine Heart interprets, let thine Heart Be silent, e're thy Tongue thy Mind impart.

Th' interpreter must silent stand, as long As the Embassadour doth use his tongue.

261. The Praise of the Ass.

Be ye not like an Horse or Mule which have no understanding.

With Horse and Mule, why was not th' Ass brought on? Because he was to carry David's Son.

262. A pair of impair Courtiers. The Carper, the Parasite.

They well agree not, nor keep equal ways, This all things praiseth, that doth nothing praise.

263. Four causes of man.

What is Mans form, but a bad mind, vain will? What Principle Material? But Nily. Suspect not matter with the form, respect Th' Efficient and End: On these reflect.

264. The last Line.

Sad Death is of a merry Life last Act; A serious Life doth Joys in Death attract.

265. Upon the Death of Rich. Vaughan Bishop of London, 1607.

I who thee living did most justly praise, Well knowing that thy worth deserv'd the Bays, Ah, thee now dead, why praise I not more full? Joys did my wit make brisk, Grief makes it dull. While with more Tears, than Verse, I found thy knell, My Tears confound my Verse, my words: farewel.

266. Of Life and Death.

One way to Life, to Death a thousand's had; 'Tis well Death is a good thing, Life a bad.

267. Of decrepit Paul, A Builder.

Thou build'st an House, wherein to die, not dwell: Whether thine House, or Tomb, thou canst not tell.

268. Of Sextus, a Prodigal Robber.

We thee confess Munificent, who thine Not only giv'st, but tak'st from me, what's mine.

269. On Zoilus.

Thou spar'st the Dead, the Living dost envy: I will not therefore wish my self to die.

270. A Pair Royal of Friends. To the

• English-Scots, Britains.
• Scots-Welsh, Britains.
• Welsh-English Britains.

In friendship this doth seem a royal pair, When three between, one love commands the Chair: To make a pair in Love; if there be three, Each of the three must then twice numbred be.

271. A Kingdom divided.

This world hath nothing pertinent: And this- World cannot stand, because divided 'tis.

272. The Ring of Concord, To the Britains in Parliament, 1607.

Scotland the Jewel brings, to make the Ring, England the Gold, the Goldsmith is the King: Speed Europes Peace, lest else the Ring-like year, Before the Ring be finish'd, disappear.

273. Britain.

As thou wert i' th' Beginning, now as then, So, O so be, World without End: Amen.

274. Steganography. To the curious Reader.

Why, that my Verses are obscure, dost say, Not well to b' understood without a Key? An Epigrammatist must not dilate: 'Tis therefore fit he should abbreviate.

275. One God.

One Adam was the Father of all Men: Nor can there be more Gods than Fathers then.

276. To the Lady Arbella Stuart.

If in bare words were honour, I could raise- Could write a thousand Verses in thy Praise: My Muse may by thy worth ennobled be, But my poor Muse can nothing add to thee.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A fair Altar.
• * 1.2

  Jus signifies

  • ...Right.
  • ...Pottage.
• * 1.3

  Unity.
• * 1.4

  Apoc. 9.11. A bad one.
• * 1.5

  Blood.
• * 1.6

  The two Baptisms of Christ and John.
• * 1.7

  Mat. 14.21.